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AFC North facts for kids

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AFC North
Conference American Football Conference
League National Football League
Sport American football
Founded 1970 (as AFC Central Division)
No. of teams 4
Country United States
Most recent
champion(s)
Baltimore Ravens (7th title)
Most titles Pittsburgh Steelers (24 titles)


The American Football Conference – Northern Division, or AFC North, is one of the four groups of teams in the American Football Conference (AFC). The AFC is part of the larger National Football League (NFL). This division was created in 2002 when the NFL changed its setup to include 32 teams.

The AFC North has four teams: the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers. No team in this division has ever hosted a Super Bowl in their home stadium. However, teams from this division have won a total of eight Super Bowl titles. The Pittsburgh Steelers have won six, and the Baltimore Ravens have won two.

How the AFC North Was Formed

The AFC North currently includes the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers. When the division first started in 1970, it was called the AFC Central. Its first four teams were the Browns, Bengals, Steelers, and the Houston Oilers (who are now the Tennessee Titans).

The AFC North is special because it doesn't have any of the original teams from the American Football League (AFL). However, the Cincinnati Bengals joined the AFL in 1968. The Steelers and Browns joined the AFC in 1970, after the AFL and NFL merged. The Bengals' owner, Paul Brown, wanted his team to join the NFL after the merger.

Interestingly, the AFC North includes three cities from the old NFL (Baltimore, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh) whose teams joined the AFC in 1970. The Bengals and Browns were both started by Paul Brown. The Ravens and Cleveland also have a unique history because the original Cleveland Browns team moved to Baltimore to become the Ravens. Only the Steelers, the oldest team in the division, don't have a direct link to Paul Brown.

A Look Back at AFC North History

The 1970s: Steelers Dominate

The AFC Central division began in 1970. The Browns and Steelers brought their long-standing Browns–Steelers rivalry to the new AFC. They were joined by the Houston Oilers and Cincinnati Bengals.

The Bengals won the first AFC Central title in 1970. But the Steelers quickly became the strongest team in the division. They won four Super Bowls in the 1970s. These were the Steelers' first league championships.

The 1980s: Bengals Reach the Super Bowl

In 1980, the Cleveland Browns broke the Steelers' winning streak. However, they lost in the playoffs. The Bengals were the only team from the AFC Central to play in the Super Bowl during this decade. They reached Super Bowls XVI and XXIII. Both times, they lost closely to the San Francisco 49ers.

The 1990s: Changes and New Teams

The Steelers became strong again in the 1990s. They won five division titles in six years. They also played in Super Bowl XXX, but lost to the Dallas Cowboys.

In 1992, the Houston Oilers were part of a famous playoff game. They lost a huge 32-point lead to the Buffalo Bills. This game, known as The Comeback, was the biggest comeback in NFL history for almost 30 years.

In 1995, the Jacksonville Jaguars joined the league and were placed in the AFC Central. This was the first time the division's structure changed. Then, in 1996, the Cleveland Browns team moved to Baltimore and became the Baltimore Ravens. This was a very controversial decision. In 1997, the Oilers moved to Tennessee and later became the Titans in 1999. The Cleveland Browns team was brought back to the NFL in 1999. So, from 1999 to 2001, the division had six teams, which was unusual.

Besides the Steelers' Super Bowl appearance, the Tennessee Titans also reached Super Bowl XXXIV in the 1990s. They came very close to winning, losing by just one yard. On their way to the Super Bowl, they beat the Bills in a playoff game known as the Music City Miracle.

The 2000s: Ravens Win a Super Bowl and Realignment

The 2000s started with the Ravens winning Super Bowl XXXV. Their defense, led by Ray Lewis, was one of the best ever.

In 2002, the NFL changed its divisions. The AFC Central was renamed the AFC North. The Jaguars and Titans moved to the new AFC South division. The Bengals, Browns, and Steelers were guaranteed to stay in the same division. This was part of a deal with the city of Cleveland after the original Browns moved.

Because of this change, the AFC North became the division with the shortest distances between its teams. Three teams are close to Interstate 70. The Browns and Steelers, who are close rivals, even take a bus to their games instead of flying!

Since 2002, the Steelers have won the division title seven times. The Ravens and Bengals have each won four times. The Steelers won all their division games twice, in 2002 and 2008. The Bengals did this in 2009, and the Ravens in 2011.

Since 2002, the Steelers have made the playoffs ten times. The Ravens made it eight times, the Bengals seven times, and the Browns two times.

In 2005, the Steelers finished second in the division. But they made history by becoming the first team to win the Super Bowl as a #6 seed. In 2008, the Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII, their second Super Bowl in four years. This gave them a record six Super Bowl wins overall.

In 2009, the Cincinnati Bengals won all six of their division games. They won their first three division games by only three points each, earning them the nickname "Cardiac Cats." They won their first division title since 2005. The Ravens also made the playoffs that year.

The 2010s: Ravens and Bengals Win Division Titles

The Ravens won the division in 2011 and 2012. They went on to win Super Bowl XLVII in 2013, which was their second Super Bowl win.

As of 2012, the Steelers have the best overall record in the AFC North. The Browns are second, and the Ravens are third. The Bengals are the only team in the division with a losing record overall.

In 2015, the Bengals had a great start, winning their first eight games. They finished the season 12–4 and won the division. Their quarterback, Andy Dalton, had his best season but got injured. The Bengals lost to the Steelers in the playoffs. The Steelers then lost to the Denver Broncos, who went on to win the Super Bowl.

The Steelers won the division in 2016. They made it to the AFC Championship game but lost to the New England Patriots.

A very tough game happened in 2017 between the Bengals and Steelers. The Bengals started with a big lead, but the Steelers came back to win. The game was very physical, with many penalties and injuries. When asked about it, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said it was "AFC North football."

The Ravens won the division in 2019. They were the top seed in the AFC playoffs but were upset by the Tennessee Titans.

The 2020s: All Teams Make Playoffs

The Steelers won the division in 2020. The Ravens and Browns also made the playoffs as wild card teams. This was the Browns' first playoff appearance since 2002. The Browns beat the Steelers in the wild card round. The Ravens also won their wild card game. However, both teams lost in the next round.

The Bengals won the division in 2021. The Steelers also made the playoffs but lost in the wild card round. The Bengals had a great playoff run, beating the Raiders, Titans, and Chiefs to reach the Super Bowl. They lost Super Bowl LVI to the Rams.

The Cincinnati Bengals won the division again in 2022. Their game against the Buffalo Bills was stopped after Bills player Damar Hamlin collapsed. The NFL later cancelled the game. The Bengals still won the division based on their winning percentage. The Baltimore Ravens also made the playoffs. In the wild card round, the Bengals beat the Ravens. The Bengals then upset the Bills in heavy snow. They reached the AFC Championship game for the second year in a row but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. This was the first time the Bengals made back-to-back championship appearances.

The Baltimore Ravens won the division in 2023 and were the top seed in the AFC. For the first time since 1935, all four teams in an NFL division finished the season with winning records. The Steelers also made history by having 20 straight seasons without a losing record.

Division Lineups Over the Years

Place cursor over year for division champ or Super Bowl team.

Years
AFC Central Division
70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01
Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleveland Browns suspended operations Cleveland Browns
Houston Oilers Tennessee Oilers Tennessee Titans
Cincinnati Bengals
  Jacksonville Jaguars
  Baltimore Ravens
AFC North Division
02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33
Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleveland Browns
Cincinnati Bengals
Baltimore Ravens
     Team not in division      Division Won Super Bowl      Division Won AFC Championship
  • In 1970, the division formed in the American Football Conference.
  • After the 1995 season, the Cleveland Browns team moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens. The Cleveland Browns team was brought back in 1999. The Browns, Ravens, and NFL all agree that the Browns team after 1999 is a continuation of the original team from 1946.
  • Houston moved to Memphis as the Tennessee Oilers in 1997. They moved to Nashville in 1998 (still called Oilers). The team was renamed the Tennessee Titans in 1999.
  • The Jacksonville Jaguars joined the league in 1995.
  • The Baltimore Ravens joined the league in 1996.
  • The division was renamed AFC North. Jacksonville and Tennessee moved to the AFC South.

Division Champions: Who Won Each Year?

Season Team Record Playoff Results
AFC Central
1970 Cincinnati Bengals (1) 8–6 Lost Divisional playoffs (at Colts) 0–17
1971 Cleveland Browns (1) 9–5 Lost Divisional playoffs (Colts) 3–20
1972 Pittsburgh Steelers (1) 11–3 Won Divisional playoffs (Raiders) 13–7
Lost AFC Championship (Dolphins) 17–21
1973 Cincinnati Bengals (2) 10–4 Lost Divisional playoffs (at Dolphins) 16–34
1974 Pittsburgh Steelers (2) 10–3–1 Won Divisional playoffs (Bills) 32–14
Won AFC Championship (at Raiders) 24–13
Won Super Bowl IX (vs. Vikings) 16–6
1975 Pittsburgh Steelers (3) 12–2 Won Divisional playoffs (Colts) 28–10
Won AFC Championship (Raiders) 16–10
Won Super Bowl X (vs. Cowboys) 21–17
1976 Pittsburgh Steelers (4) 10–4 Won Divisional playoffs (at Colts) 40–14
Lost AFC Championship (at Raiders) 7–24
1977 Pittsburgh Steelers (5) 9–5 Lost Divisional playoffs (at Broncos) 21–34
1978 Pittsburgh Steelers (6) 14–2 Won Divisional playoffs (Broncos) 33–10
Won AFC Championship (Oilers) 34–5
Won Super Bowl XIII (vs. Cowboys) 35–31
1979 Pittsburgh Steelers (7) 12–4 Won Divisional playoffs (Dolphins) 34–14
Won AFC Championship (Oilers) 27–13
Won Super Bowl XIV (vs. Rams) 31–19
1980 Cleveland Browns (2) 11–5 Lost Divisional playoffs (Raiders) 12–14
1981 Cincinnati Bengals (3) 12–4 Won Divisional playoffs (Bills) 28–21
Won AFC Championship (Chargers) 27–7
Lost Super Bowl XVI (vs. 49ers) 21–26
1982+ Cincinnati Bengals (–) 7–2 Lost First Round playoffs (Jets) 17–44
1983 Pittsburgh Steelers (8) 10–6 Lost Divisional playoffs (at Raiders) 10–38
1984 Pittsburgh Steelers (9) 9–7 Won Divisional playoffs (at Broncos) 24–17
Lost AFC Championship (at Dolphins) 28–45
1985 Cleveland Browns (3) 8–8 Lost Divisional playoffs (at Dolphins) 21–24
1986 Cleveland Browns (4) 12–4 Won Divisional playoffs (Jets) 23–20 (2OT)
Lost AFC Championship (Broncos) 20–23 (OT)
1987 Cleveland Browns (5) 10–5 Won Divisional playoffs (Colts) 38–21
Lost AFC Championship (at Broncos) 33–38
1988 Cincinnati Bengals (4) 12–4 Won Divisional playoffs (Seahawks) 21–13
Won AFC Championship (Bills) 21–10
Lost Super Bowl XXIII (vs. 49ers) 16–20
1989 Cleveland Browns (6) 9–6–1 Won Divisional playoffs (Bills) 34–30
Lost AFC Championship (Broncos) 21–37
1990 Cincinnati Bengals (5) 9–7 Won Wild Card playoffs (Oilers) 41–14
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Raiders) 10–20
1991 Houston Oilers (1) 11–5 Won Wild Card playoffs (Jets) 17–10
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Broncos) 24–26
1992 Pittsburgh Steelers (10) 11–5 Lost Divisional playoffs (Bills) 24–3
1993 Houston Oilers (2) 12–4 Lost Divisional playoffs (Chiefs) 20–28
1994 Pittsburgh Steelers (11) 12–4 Won Divisional playoffs (Browns) 29–9
Lost AFC Championship (Chargers) 13–17
1995 Pittsburgh Steelers (12) 11–5 Won Divisional playoffs (Bills) 40–21
Won AFC Championship (Colts) 20–16
Lost Super Bowl XXX (vs. Cowboys) 17–27
1996 Pittsburgh Steelers (13) 10–6 Won Wild Card playoffs (Colts) 42–14
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Patriots) 3–28
1997 Pittsburgh Steelers (14) 11–5 Won Divisional playoffs (Patriots) 7–6
Lost AFC Championship (Broncos) 21–24
1998 Jacksonville Jaguars (1) 11–5 Won Wild Card playoffs (Patriots) 25–10
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Jets) 24–34
1999 Jacksonville Jaguars (2) 14–2 Won Divisional playoffs (Dolphins) 62–7
Lost AFC Championship (Titans) 14–33
2000 Tennessee Titans (3) 13–3 Lost Divisional playoffs (Ravens) 10–24
2001 Pittsburgh Steelers (15) 13–3 Won Divisional playoffs (Ravens) 27–10
Lost AFC Championship (Patriots) 17–24
AFC North
2002 Pittsburgh Steelers (16) 10–5–1 Won Wild Card playoffs (Browns) 36–33
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Titans) 31–34
2003 Baltimore Ravens (1) 10–6 Lost Wild Card playoffs (Titans) 17–20
2004 Pittsburgh Steelers (17) 15–1 Won Divisional playoffs (Jets) 20–17
Lost AFC Championship (Patriots) 27–41
2005 Cincinnati Bengals (6) 11–5 Lost Wild Card playoffs (Steelers) 17–31
2006 Baltimore Ravens (2) 13–3 Lost Divisional playoffs (Colts) 6–15
2007 Pittsburgh Steelers (18) 10–6 Lost Wild Card playoffs (Jaguars) 29–31
2008 Pittsburgh Steelers (19) 12–4 Won Divisional playoffs (Chargers) 35–24
Won AFC Championship (Ravens) 23–14
Won Super Bowl XLIII (vs. Cardinals) 27–23
2009 Cincinnati Bengals (7) 10–6 Lost Wild Card playoffs (Jets) 14–24
2010 Pittsburgh Steelers (20) 12–4 Won Divisional playoffs (Ravens) 31–24
Won AFC Championship (Jets) 24–19
Lost Super Bowl XLV (vs. Packers) 25–31
2011 Baltimore Ravens (3) 12–4 Won Divisional playoffs (Texans) 20–13
Lost AFC Championship (at Patriots) 20–23
2012 Baltimore Ravens (4) 10–6 Won Wild Card playoffs (Colts) 24–9
Won Divisional playoffs (at Broncos) 38–35 (2OT)
Won AFC Championship (at Patriots) 28–13
Won Super Bowl XLVII (vs. 49ers) 34–31
2013 Cincinnati Bengals (8) 11–5 Lost Wild Card playoffs (Chargers) 10–27
2014 Pittsburgh Steelers (21) 11–5 Lost Wild Card playoffs (Ravens) 17–30
2015 Cincinnati Bengals (9) 12–4 Lost Wild Card playoffs (Steelers) 16–18
2016 Pittsburgh Steelers (22) 11–5 Won Wild Card playoffs (Dolphins) 30–12
Won Divisional playoffs (at Chiefs) 18–16
Lost AFC Championship (at Patriots) 17–36
2017 Pittsburgh Steelers (23) 13–3 Lost Divisional playoffs (Jaguars) 42–45
2018 Baltimore Ravens (5) 10–6 Lost Wild Card playoffs (Chargers) 17–23
2019 Baltimore Ravens (6) 14–2 Lost Divisional playoffs (Titans) 12–28
2020 Pittsburgh Steelers (24) 12–4 Lost Wild Card playoffs (Browns) 37–48
2021 Cincinnati Bengals (10) 10–7 Won Wild Card playoffs (Raiders) 26–19
Won Divisional playoffs (at Titans) 19–16
Won AFC Championship (at Chiefs) 27–24 (OT)
Lost Super Bowl LVI (vs. Rams) 20–23
2022++ Cincinnati Bengals (11) 12–4 Won Wild Card playoffs (Ravens) 24–17
Won Divisional playoffs (at Bills) 27–10
Lost AFC Championship (at Chiefs) 20–23
2023 Baltimore Ravens (7) 13–4 Won Divisional playoffs (Texans) 34–10
Lost AFC Championship (Chiefs) 10–17

+ In 1982, a players' strike shortened the season to nine games. The league held a special 16-team "Super Bowl Tournament" for the playoffs that year. Division standings were not officially recognized, but Cincinnati had the best record among the division teams.

++ The game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 17 was cancelled. This meant the Cincinnati Bengals played only 16 games in the 2022 season. However, this did not change who won the division, as the Bengals had two more wins than the Ravens.

Wild Card Teams: Playoff Qualifiers

Season Team Record Playoff Results
AFC Central
1972 Cleveland Browns 10–4 Lost Divisional playoffs (at Dolphins) 14–20
1973 Pittsburgh Steelers 10–4 Lost Divisional playoffs (at Raiders) 14–33
1975 Cincinnati Bengals 11–3 Lost Divisional playoffs (at Raiders) 28–31
1978 Houston Oilers 10–6 Won Wild Card playoffs (at Dolphins) 17–9
Won Divisional playoffs (at Patriots) 31–14
Lost AFC Championship (at Steelers) 5–34
1979 Houston Oilers 11–5 Won Wild Card playoffs (Broncos) 13–7
Won Divisional playoffs (at Chargers) 17–14
Lost AFC Championship (at Steelers) 13–27
1980 Houston Oilers 11–5 Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Raiders) 7–27
1982 + Pittsburgh Steelers 6–3 Lost First Round playoffs (Chargers) 28–31
Cleveland Browns 4–5 Lost First Round playoffs (at Raiders) 10–27
1987 Houston Oilers 9–6 Won Wild Card playoffs (Seahawks) 23–20 (OT)
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Broncos) 10–34
1988 Cleveland Browns 10–6 Lost Wild Card playoffs (Oilers) 23–24
Houston Oilers 10–6 Won Wild Card playoffs (at Browns) 24–23
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Bills) 10–17
1989 Houston Oilers 9–7 Lost Wild Card playoffs (Steelers) 23–26 (OT)
Pittsburgh Steelers 9–7 Won Wild Card playoffs (at Oilers) 26–23 (OT)
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Broncos) 23–24
1990 Houston Oilers 9–7 Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Bengals) 14–41
1992 Houston Oilers 10–6 Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Bills) 38–41 (OT)
1993 Pittsburgh Steelers 9–7 Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Chiefs) 27–24 (OT)
1994 Cleveland Browns 11–5 Won Wild Card playoffs (Patriots) 20–13
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Steelers) 9–29
1996 Jacksonville Jaguars 9–7 Won Wild Card playoffs (at Bills) 30–27
Won Divisional playoffs (at Broncos) 30–27
Lost AFC Championship (at Patriots) 6–20
1997 Jacksonville Jaguars 11–5 Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Broncos) 17–42
1999 Tennessee Titans 13–3 Won Wild Card playoffs (Bills) 22–16
Won Divisional playoffs (at Colts) 19–16
Won AFC Championship (at Jaguars) 33–14
Lost Super Bowl XXXIV (vs. Rams) 16–23
2000 Baltimore Ravens 12–4 Won Wild Card playoffs (Broncos) 21–3
Won Divisional playoffs (at Titans) 24–10
Won AFC Championship (at Raiders) 16–3
Won Super Bowl XXXV (vs. Giants) 34–7
2001 Baltimore Ravens 10–6 Won Wild Card playoffs (at Dolphins) 20–3
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Steelers) 10–27
AFC North
2002 Cleveland Browns 9–7 Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Steelers) 33–36
2005 Pittsburgh Steelers 11–5 Won Wild Card playoffs (at Bengals) 31–17
Won Divisional playoffs (at Colts) 21–18
Won AFC Championship (at Broncos) 34–17
Won Super Bowl XL (vs. Seahawks) 21–10
2008 Baltimore Ravens 11–5 Won Wild Card playoffs (at Dolphins) 27–9
Won Divisional playoffs (at Titans) 13–10
Lost AFC Championship (at Steelers) 14–23
2009 Baltimore Ravens 9–7 Won Wild Card playoffs (at Patriots) 33–14
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Colts) 3–20
2010 Baltimore Ravens 12–4 Won Wild Card playoffs (at Chiefs) 30–7
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Steelers) 24–31
2011 Pittsburgh Steelers 12–4 Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Broncos) 23–29 (OT)
Cincinnati Bengals 9–7 Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Texans) 10–31
2012 Cincinnati Bengals 10–6 Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Texans) 13–19
2014 Cincinnati Bengals 10–5–1 Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Colts) 10–26
Baltimore Ravens 10–6 Won Wild Card playoffs (at Steelers) 30–17
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Patriots) 31–35
2015 Pittsburgh Steelers 10–6 Won Wild Card playoffs (at Bengals) 18–16
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Broncos) 16–23
2020 Baltimore Ravens 11–5 Won Wild Card playoffs (at Titans) 20–13
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Bills) 3–17
Cleveland Browns 11–5 Won Wild Card playoffs (at Steelers) 48–37
Lost Divisional playoffs (at Chiefs) 17–22
2021 Pittsburgh Steelers 9–7–1 Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Chiefs) 21–42
2022 Baltimore Ravens 10–7 Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Bengals) 17–24
2023 Cleveland Browns 11–6 Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Texans) 14–45
Pittsburgh Steelers 10–7 Lost Wild Card playoffs (at Bills) 17–31

+ In 1982, a players' strike shortened the season to nine games. The league held a special 16-team playoff tournament for this year.

Total Playoff Appearances

At the end of the 2022 season

Teams with
Division titles
Division
Championships
Playoff
Berths
AFC
Titles
Super Bowl
wins
Pittsburgh Steelers 24 32 8 6
Cincinnati Bengals 11 16 3 0
Baltimore Ravens 7 15 2 2
Cleveland Browns 6 13 0 0
Tennessee Titans* 3 12 1 0
Jacksonville Jaguars* 2 4 0 0

Season Results: Year by Year

(#) Denotes team that won the Super Bowl
(#) Denotes team that won the AFC Championship
(#) Denotes team that qualified for the NFL Playoffs
Season Team (record)
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
AFC Central
1970 Cincinnati (8–6) Cleveland (7–7) Pittsburgh (7–7) Houston (3–10–1)
1971 Cleveland (9–5) Pittsburgh (9–5) Houston (4–9–1) Cincinnati (4–10)
1972 Pittsburgh (11–3) Cleveland (10–4) Cincinnati (8–6) Houston (1–13)
1973 Cincinnati (10–4) Pittsburgh (10–4) Cleveland (7–5–2) Houston (1–13)
1974 Pittsburgh (10–3–1) Houston (7–7) Cincinnati (7–7) Cleveland (4–10)
1975 (1) Pittsburgh (12–2) (4) Cincinnati (11–3) Houston (10–4) Cleveland (3–11)
1976 (3) Pittsburgh (10–4) Cincinnati (10–4) Cleveland (9–5) Houston (5–9)
1977 (3) Pittsburgh (9–5) Cincinnati (8–6) Houston (8–6) Cleveland (6–8)
1978 (1) Pittsburgh (14–2) (5) Houston (10–6) Cleveland (8–8) Cincinnati (4–12)
1979 (2) Pittsburgh (12–4) (4) Houston (11–5) Cleveland (9–7) Cincinnati (4–12)
1980 (2) Cleveland (11–5) (5) Houston (11–5) Pittsburgh (9–7) Cincinnati (6–10)
1981 (1) Cincinnati (12–4) Pittsburgh (8–8) Houston (7–9) Cleveland (5–11)
1982^ (3) Cincinnati (7–2) (4) Pittsburgh (6–3) (8) Cleveland (4–5) Houston (1–8)
1983 (3) Pittsburgh (10–6) Cleveland (9–7) Cincinnati (7–9) Houston (2–14)
1984 (3) Pittsburgh (9–7) Cincinnati (8–8) Cleveland (5–11) Houston (3–13)
1985 (3) Cleveland (8–8) Cincinnati (7–9) Pittsburgh (7–9) Houston (5–11)
1986 (1) Cleveland (12–4) Cincinnati (10–6) Pittsburgh (6–10) Houston (5–11)
1987 (2) Cleveland (10–5) (4) Houston (9–6) Pittsburgh (8–7) Cincinnati (4–11)
1988 (1) Cincinnati (12–4) (4) Cleveland (10–6) (5) Houston (10–6) Pittsburgh (5–11)
1989 (2) Cleveland (9–6–1) (4) Houston (9–7) (5) Pittsburgh (9–7) Cincinnati (8–8)
1990 (3) Cincinnati (9–7) (6) Houston (9–7) Pittsburgh (9–7) Cleveland (3–13)
1991 (3) Houston (11–5) Pittsburgh (7–9) Cleveland (6–10) Cincinnati (3–13)
1992 (1) Pittsburgh (11–5) (5) Houston (10–6) Cleveland (7–9) Cincinnati (5–11)
1993 (2) Houston (12–4) (6) Pittsburgh (9–7) Cleveland (7–9) Cincinnati (3–13)
1994 (1) Pittsburgh (12–4) (4) Cleveland (11–5) Cincinnati (3–13) Houston (2–14)
1995 (2) Pittsburgh (11–5) Houston (7–9) Cincinnati (7–9) Cleveland (5–11) Jacksonville (4–12)
1996 (3) Pittsburgh (10–6) (5) Jacksonville (9–7) Cincinnati (8–8) Houston (8–8) Baltimore (4–12)
1997 (2) Pittsburgh (11–5) (5) Jacksonville (11–5) Tennessee (8–8) Cincinnati (7–9) Baltimore (6–9–1)
1998 (3) Jacksonville (11–5) Tennessee (8–8) Pittsburgh (7–9) Baltimore (6–10) Cincinnati (3–13)
  • 1999: The Cleveland Browns rejoined the AFC Central as a new team, getting back the history of the original Browns. Also, the Tennessee Oilers changed their name to the Tennessee Titans.
1999 (1) Jacksonville (14–2) (4) Tennessee (13–3) Baltimore (8–8) Pittsburgh (6–10) Cincinnati (4–12) Cleveland (2–14)
2000 (1) Tennessee (13–3) (4) Baltimore (12–4) Pittsburgh (9–7) Jacksonville (7–9) Cincinnati (4–12) Cleveland (3–13)
2001 (1) Pittsburgh (13–3) (5) Baltimore (10–6) Cleveland (7–9) Tennessee (7–9) Jacksonville (6–10) Cincinnati (6–10)
AFC North
2002 (3) Pittsburgh (10–5–1) (6) Cleveland (9–7) Baltimore (7–9) Cincinnati (2–14)
2003 (4) Baltimore (10–6) Cincinnati (8–8) Pittsburgh (6–10) Cleveland (5–11)
2004 (1) Pittsburgh (15–1) Baltimore (9–7) Cincinnati (8–8) Cleveland (4–12)
2005 (3) Cincinnati (11–5) (6) Pittsburgh (11–5) Baltimore (6–10) Cleveland (6–10)
2006 (2) Baltimore (13–3) Cincinnati (8–8) Pittsburgh (8–8) Cleveland (4–12)
2007 (4) Pittsburgh (10–6) Cleveland (10–6) Cincinnati (7–9) Baltimore (5–11)
2008 (2) Pittsburgh (12–4) (6) Baltimore (11–5) Cincinnati (4–11–1) Cleveland (4–12)
2009 (4) Cincinnati (10–6) (6) Baltimore (9–7) Pittsburgh (9–7) Cleveland (5–11)
2010 (2) Pittsburgh (12–4) (5) Baltimore (12–4) Cleveland (5–11) Cincinnati (4–12)
2011 (2) Baltimore (12–4) (5) Pittsburgh (12–4) (6) Cincinnati (9–7) Cleveland (4–12)
2012 (4) Baltimore (10–6) (6) Cincinnati (10–6) Pittsburgh (8–8) Cleveland (5–11)
2013 (3) Cincinnati (11–5) Pittsburgh (8–8) Baltimore (8–8) Cleveland (4–12)
2014 (3) Pittsburgh (11–5) (5) Cincinnati (10–5–1) (6) Baltimore (10–6) Cleveland (7–9)
2015 (3) Cincinnati (12–4) (6) Pittsburgh (10–6) Baltimore (5–11) Cleveland (3–13)
2016 (3) Pittsburgh (11–5) Baltimore (8–8) Cincinnati (6–9–1) Cleveland (1–15)
2017 (2) Pittsburgh (13–3) Baltimore (9–7) Cincinnati (7–9) Cleveland (0–16)
2018 (4) Baltimore (10–6) Pittsburgh (9–6–1) Cleveland (7–8–1) Cincinnati (6–10)
2019 (1) Baltimore (14–2) Pittsburgh (8–8) Cleveland (6–10) Cincinnati (2–14)
2020 (3) Pittsburgh (12–4) (5) Baltimore (11–5) (6) Cleveland (11–5) Cincinnati (4–11–1)
2021 (4) Cincinnati (10–7) (7) Pittsburgh (9–7–1) Cleveland (8–9) Baltimore (8–9)
2022 (3) Cincinnati (12–4) (6) Baltimore (10–7) Pittsburgh (9–8) Cleveland (7–10)
2023 (1) Baltimore (13–4) (5) Cleveland (11–6) (7) Pittsburgh (10–7) Cincinnati (9–8)

^ In 1982, a players' strike shortened the regular season to nine games. Because of the strike, the league used a special 16-team "Super Bowl Tournament" for the playoffs that year. Division standings were not formally acknowledged, but Cincinnati had the best record of the division teams.

See Also

Kids robot
In Spanish: AFC Norte para niños
  • Bengals–Browns rivalry
  • Bengals–Ravens rivalry
  • Bengals–Steelers rivalry
  • Browns–Ravens rivalry
  • Browns–Steelers rivalry
  • Ravens–Steelers rivalry
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